On November 6-7, 2024, The Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) awards were presented at the Hilton Harrisburg. Awards were presented to nine professionals, and two youth award categories. Shippensburg University President Charles Patterson presented the Dr. L. Austin Undergraduate Scholarship Award to Kira Green, and the Dr. Anthony F. Ceddia Award to alumna Emily Jackson.
Listed below is a brief biography of Green and Jackson, published in the 44th Annual Awards Banquet program.
Kira Green
Since 1986, the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) has awarded a scholarship to an undergraduate student at Shippensburg University majoring in criminal justice. This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Thomas L. Austin, who taught in the JCJC-sponsored Graduate Education Program at Shippensburg University from its inception in 1982 until his retirement in 2011. The criteria for this scholarship are academic excellence and an interest in juvenile justice. This year, the JCJC is proud to present the Dr. Thomas L. Austin Undergraduate Scholarship Award to Kira Green, a senior at Shippensburg University. Kira resides in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Shippensburg Area High School and is a criminal justice major at Shippensburg University, as well as earning a certificate in Victimology. Kira is currently working as a Youth Development Specialist at the Abraxas Leadership Development Program, South Mountain, Pennsylvania. She has been active in her community as a Bible School leader, 4-H Club member, and Key Club member. Additionally, she won the Veterans Day Writing Award for the Patriotic Order Sons of America. On campus, Kira earned a Raider Success Scholarship and was on the Dean’s List for five semesters. After graduation, Kira plans to begin a career in the juvenile justice field where she can help youth within the system, and she may pursue a master’s degree. On behalf of the JCJC and administration and faculty at Shippensburg University, we congratulate Kira for her excellent academic and community achievements and wish her continued success at Shippensburg University and in all her future endeavors.
Emily Jackson
Each year, the members of the Criminal Justice faculty who teach in the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC)-sponsored Graduate Education Program at Shippensburg University select an outstanding student from that year’s graduating class. The criteria for the award are academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to the juvenile justice profession. This year, the JCJC is proud to present the Dr. Anthony F. Ceddia Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Juvenile Justice to Emily Jackson, a juvenile probation officer with the Mercer County Juvenile Probation Department. Emily is a graduate of Thiel College, Greenville and a lifelong Mercer County resident. Emily began her career as a Literacy Specialist in 2008 for the Mercer County Family Center before working in juvenile probation. As part of her current probation responsibilities, Emily oversees the gang intelligence database, presentations on the dangers of social media, and local programming. Emily is a Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory™ Master Trainer, Pennsylvania Justice Network Terminal Agency Coordinator, and Effective Practices in Community Supervision Trainer. Now that Emily has completed her graduate coursework, she will be looking to join various statewide committees and workgroups. Emily volunteers for local 4-H groups and various organizations with her daughter’s school district. In her free time, Emily also enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, hunting, and reading books. Additionally, Emily loves watching her daughter ride horses competitively with the Youth Equestrian Development Association.
The accomplishments of Green and Jackson showcase their commitment to juvenile justice. These awards honor their personal achievements and the impact that Ship’s Criminal Justice program has on students and alumni. Both Green and Jackson exemplify the difference that young people can make within their communities.
